"Gooey" Eye Problem

jaz · 04-21-2011, 04:27 AM

With the bank holidays this weekend a trip to the vets is less of an option, but post bank holiday, if the problem isn't gone we will be taking him to the vets.

In the meantime, I thought I would ask for any advice here.

We've only had Bean (long haired Syrian) a couple of weeks. He's been fine, extremely energetic - and still is. He does wash himself a lot, if that counts for anything and he is most definitely a bar chewer. He's on Harry Hamster, and hasn't had much fresh food yet as we're taking that slowly, he's had a bit of broccoli and carrot, an almond or two (no shell of course) and a hazelnut over the period that we've had him.

Last week we noticed some crust on his left eye and it wasn't open completely. As per internet suggestions we got some sterilised water, a soft cloth and cleaned his eye. All seemed well after that.

Yesterday I noticed a lot of liquid around his left eye, it wasn't closed, but it looked like it had been crying. He seemed to be having a bit of trouble opening it this morning, but was fine by the time I left for work.

It's always the same eye, and my biggest concern based on what I've read is it can be an indication that something else is wrong. I'm also worried that as getting to the vets might not be possible, it might get infected?

Thanks for any feedback.

souffle · 04-21-2011, 05:26 AM

I would bathe this daily. He may have something in the eye so try and look closely. Sometimes bar chewing can cause the tear duct where it drains in the nose to become inflamed so they tears cannot drain down and spill over. Try really hard to stop him chewing. Weave card through the bits he chews at, block the area with a log bridge thing cable tied in place or tie a toy over that spot. Use some firm plastic tied over the chew area, put a large clean rock in front of it - anything to stop him doing it. Give plenty nibble sticks and maybe a dog biscuit or wooden clothes peg to chew on.
If it does not clear over the weekend then I'd see a vet. Maxitrol drops or fucithalmic gel are usually successful in treating this.

jaz · 04-21-2011, 12:53 PM

Thanks souffle. We did have a very good look at the eye when it first occurred, and couldn't see anything. The interruptions of a few days where it's been fine make me think it could be the bar chewing as you've said. We will endeavour to prevent him from doing this! He's a sneaky one though, loves to climb. He has chewy blocks, and does chew them, but likes to chew the bars too. We have been getting him out every day, but he seems to have never ending energy! It's amazing how different his personality is to our last one. Anyway, thanks again.

jaz · 04-26-2011, 01:37 AM

Just a quick update, his left eye seems to be alright, but stopping the chewing is a massive battle - as I expected. We've had him 3 weeks now, I was assuming it was something to do with his anxiety at being in a new home, but if this is the case wouldn't he have calmed down by now?

He's in a Savic Cambridge, he's got a big wodent wheel, plenty of shelves, toys, tons of chewy things.

I've been using pegs and cardboard, but he just gets through the cardboard. I suppose my question now is what are safe "ties", if I wanted to tie chew sticks over bars? Are the little metal twisty ties safe? Or is there some kind of hamster safe string? When you say cable tie do you mean something like this? Cable Ties 4.8 x 300mm Pack of 100: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

If tying his blocks over the bars doesn't work I guess we'll have to move him to a tank/bin style cage. I didn't want to do that yet because I thought he was still getting settled.

fluffymunchkins · 04-26-2011, 06:49 AM

The chewing is more than likely a habit for him now, sometimes the only way to stop it is a non bar cage.
Those cable ties are perfect for attaching stuff the bars and are perfectly safe

jaz · 04-26-2011, 12:53 PM

Thanks for letting me know, I've ordered some ties, should be here in a day or so. Then it will be a case of wiring everything to the bars!

I will persevere with the cardboard in the meantime. We've started putting together a plan for a bin style cage as a contingency plan or as a possible extension to the Cambridge if we can stop the chewing. His poor little nose looks a little sore tonight. Our previous hamster used to chew, but nothing like this.